KANDY: In a nerve-shredding contest at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, England secured their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan, chasing down a target of 165 with five balls to spare.
The defeat leaves Pakistan in a precarious position in Group 2 of the Super Eight stage.
Harry Brook’s magnificent century anchors England’s chase
The architect of England’s successful run-chase was captain Harry Brook, who delivered a captain’s knock for the ages. Brook remained unbeaten on 100 off just 51 balls, his maiden T20I century, studded with 10 boundaries and four towering sixes.
His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, coming to the crease when England were reeling at 17 for 2 and batting with increasing authority as the innings progressed.
Brook found able support from Will Jacks, who contributed a valuable 28 off 23 balls, and Sam Curran, who chipped in with a quickfire 16. The pair added 52 runs for the fifth wicket, reviving England’s chase after they had slumped to 58 for 4.
Skipper Harry Brook’s sensational #T20WorldCup ton guides England into the semi-finals with a thrilling win over Pakistan 👏
📝: https://t.co/vwGXfd370g pic.twitter.com/2CwAxjbWnt
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2026
Shaheen’s early carnage raises Pakistan’s hopes
Pakistan started their defence in sensational fashion, with Shaheen Shah Afridi producing a devastating opening over that sent shockwaves through the English dressing room.
The left-arm pacer removed Phil Salt for a golden duck on the very first ball of the innings, caught behind by Usman Khan. He struck again in his second over, removing Jos Buttler for 2, caught behind once more.
Shaheen wasn’t finished there. He returned to dismiss Jacob Bethell for 8, caught by Sahibzada Farhan, and later removed the dangerous Harry Brook, though by then the damage had been done. Brook fell in the 17th over, but only after taking England to the brink of victory.
Shaheen finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 30 in his four overs, becoming the first bowler in T20 World Cup history to take four wickets in a losing cause while defending a total.
Middle-order resilience and late drama
Despite Shaheen’s heroics, Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to contain Brook’s brilliance. Usman Tariq claimed two wickets, removing Tom Banton and Sam Curran, while Mohammad Nawaz picked up the crucial scalps of Will Jacks and Jamie Overton.
The match witnessed late drama when England lost three quick wickets, Jacks, Overton, and Dawson,but Jofra Archer held his nerve, smashing five runs off two balls to seal the victory with an over to spare.
A captain's knock from Harry Brook guides England into the #T20WorldCup 2026 semi-finals 🙌
He's the @aramco POTM 🎖️ pic.twitter.com/EaV1cvN78F
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2026
Pakistan’s innings: Farhan’s fifty goes in vain
Earlier, Pakistan posted 164 for 9 after being put in to bat. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was the standout performer with a fluent 63 off 45 balls, his innings providing the backbone of Pakistan’s total. Fakhar Zaman contributed a brisk 25 off 16 balls, while Shadab Khan added late impetus with 23 off just 11 deliveries.
However, Pakistan’s innings was plagued by regular setbacks. Saim Ayub fell early for 7, captain Salman Ali Agha managed only 5, and Babar Azam, after showing promise with 25 off 24 balls, was dismissed at a crucial juncture.
Liam Dawson was England’s most effective bowler, claiming 3 for 24 in his four overs, while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton picked up two wickets apiece.
What this means for both teams
With this victory, England have secured their passage to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, maintaining their unbeaten record against Pakistan in World Cup encounters, now standing at four wins from four meetings.
For Pakistan, the situation has become alarmingly precarious. The defeat leaves their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread, dependent on other results in Group 2.
The Men in Green, despite producing moments of brilliance with the ball, were ultimately undone by Brook’s extraordinary century and the inability to defend a competitive total.
Pakistan will now watch nervously as the remaining Super Eight matches unfold, knowing that their fate is no longer in their own hands.
England, meanwhile, march confidently into the knockout stages, their captain leading from the front with a breathtaking knock that will be remembered as one of the finest in T20 World Cup history.
